For Every Journey

Sunglasses Wanted Porters Progress

Your sunglasses wanted! Give them a second life

We have talked about the Porters’ Progress Charity on Rohantime before with regard to reusing unwanted Rohan garments. The most recent story was Tim Jaspers’ trip to Nepal where he was lucky enough to hand deliver some more Rohan garments to the hard working porters in Kathmandu.
The Porters Progress is currently seeking donations of high quality sunglasses for the mountain porters of Nepal. Apart from the impact of cold weather at high altitude, Himalayan porters – like all those who trek in this beautiful part of the world – are at risk of snow blindness. This painful condition is caused by extreme UV levels, which kill the outer cells of the eyeball, leading to blindness. Such problems can be avoided by wearing effective sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB radiation and so prevent damage to the eye.
Research conducted by the Himalayan Rescue Association and Nepal International Clinic shows that porters in the region are just as susceptible to such medical problems as western trekkers. Despite this they often lack the basic equipment that would protect against preventable ailments such as snow blindness and photokeratitis.At high altitude sunglasses with the following qualities are particularly useful:
Category 3 -99-100% UV absorption -5-10% visible light transmittance -Polycarbonate or CR-39 lens -Large lenses that fit close to the face -Wraparound or side shielded to prevent incidental light exposureSend sunglasses to: 972B Garratt Lane, London SW17 0ND or take them to one of their events